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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy

Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model Evaluation: Report 1
Presents findings from the 2020-2021 pre-implementation period of the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model, which aims to improve health outcomes for Medicaid-enrolled children with complex physical and behavioral health needs. Provides an overview of the InCK Model and profiles each InCK award recipient's model, community context, planned approach, and progress with implementing the model. Identifies models serving rural areas and service gaps in these areas.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the ESRD PPS Update for CY 2023
Comments on a June 28, 2022, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA) and the rural adjustment.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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RHC COVID-19 Program Updates
Recording of an August 18, 2022, webinar discussing and answering questions about COVID-19 therapeutics, testing and mitigation, vaccine, and provider relief programs available to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Public Health Preparedness: COVID-19 Medical Surge Experiences and Related HHS Efforts
Discusses the medical surge challenges of eight hospitals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how healthcare coalitions have supported the hospitals' efforts. Identifies challenges related to staffing, supplies, space, and information, as well as challenges unique to rural hospitals. Describes Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) programs and activities to support medical surge readiness.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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State Telehealth Policy: Summary and Findings from the Summer 2022 Webinar Series
Offers a summary of presentations included in the Center for Connected Health Policy's (CCHP) Summer 2022 webinar series. Covered topics include telehealth in school-based programs, licensure, private payer telehealth laws, and telehealth policies for substance use disorder treatment.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Home Health Prospective Payment System for CY 2023
Comments on a June 23, 2022, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for home health agencies. Includes comments regarding the collection of data on the use of telecommunications technology under the Medicare home health benefit and quality measure stratification as a tool to address healthcare disparities and advance health equity.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Wisconsin Community Health Center Workforce
Provides data and information related to the Wisconsin Community Health Center workforce. Focuses on workforce shortages, training pipelines, addressing challenges, innovative workforce practices, policy considerations, and more.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association
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2022 Key Rural Measures: An Updated List of Measures to Advance Rural Health Priorities
Report updating a list of key rural measures focused on rural access to care originally outlined in A Core Set of Rural-Relevant Measures and Measuring and Improving Access to Care: 2018 Recommendations from the MAP Rural Health Workgroup. Identifies 17 measures to add to the 2018 list of rural measures, including items related to behavioral and mental health, substance use, infectious disease, access to care, and equity and social determinants of health. Discusses remaining gaps in measurement topic areas.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum
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Federal Student Loan Repayment Programs for Behavioral Health Service Providers
Provides an overview of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-administered federal student loan repayment programs available to behavioral health providers. Addresses program components, benefits, Congressional appropriations for these programs for fiscal year 2022, and policy issues for Congress to consider.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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2020 Quality Payment Program Experience Report
Reports on the clinician experience for those participating in the Quality Payment Program in 2020. Presents data on Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility and participation rates for clinicians in small practices and rural areas, as well as their mean payment adjustment scores.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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